Let’s speak about Mike Evans, lets?
The extra thrilling durations of the Bucs offseason are over with, as pre-draft scouting, free company, the NFL Draft, OTAs and mini-camps are over. Meaning it’s time to settle in for what feels just like the longest of waits earlier than coaching camp will get underway in late July.
The canine days of the NFL offseason are all about storylines for the upcoming season. Media and followers alike spend the times of June and July passing the time with discourse surrounding all types of rankings, in addition to the massive tales which are sure to return up when the season begins in September.
So, with that in thoughts, the concept right here is to slim in on a few of the Bucs’ largest stars and go player-by-player to dive into the massive storylines which are in retailer for the 2024 season. After beginning with quarterback Baker Mayfield, we transfer ahead at the moment with legendary Tampa Bay huge receiver Mike Evans.
Bucs Storylines: Mike Evans
Listed below are three large storylines surrounding Bucs huge receiver Mike Evans in 2024:
Can Mike Evans Prolong His 1,000-Yard Season Streak To 11 And Tie Jerry Rice’s Document?
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Mike Evans has been the mannequin of consistency all through his 10-year NFL profession. From his rookie season in 2014 throughout the 2023 season, he’s continued to place up big-time manufacturing for Tampa Bay. After all, his streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons is a favourite matter amongst Buccaneer followers – and for good purpose.
Now, there’s a major likelihood that because the 2024 season rolls on, Evans’ streak might grow to be extra of a nationwide matter of dialog than it already is. In spite of everything, whereas he already has the file for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start a profession (10), one other such season in 2024 would imply much more.
Whereas Evans has the longest 1,000-yard season streak to start a profession, he’s nonetheless chasing the all-time NFL file for consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons at any level in a profession. Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Jerry Rice holds that file, having recorded 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons from 1986 to 1996. So, if Evans can cross that threshold once more in 2024, he’ll tie Rice’s file and set himself up with an opportunity to interrupt the league file if he has a twelfth straight season with 1,000-plus receiving yards in 2025.
Whereas well being will all the time be the massive think about Evans protecting his streak alive, betting in opposition to him getting 1,000-yard marketing campaign can be silly. Even coming into his age-31 season, the 2014 first-round choose is the driving drive behind the Bucs offense. He’ll be Baker Mayfield’s No. 1 possibility and will definitely have the amount of targets wanted to have one other large season.
No. 13 is coming off one of many higher seasons of his profession at age 30, posting 1,255 yards – his most since 2018 – and bringing in 13 touchdowns. Tying Rice’s file will surely imply lots to Evans, and it will strengthen an already-strong Corridor of Fame case for the five-time Professional Bowler and Tremendous Bowl LV champion.
How Excessive Can Mike Evans Climb Amongst The NFL’s All-Time Receiving Landing Leaders?
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: USA At present
Talking of Mike Evans’ Corridor of Fame case, he can proceed to bolster it in 2024 in additional methods than one. Tying Jerry Rice’s consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season streak will surely assist, however there’s additionally the truth that the Bucs’ star receiver is closing in on being within the top-10 for receiving touchdowns in NFL historical past. With 94 receiving touchdowns in his profession, Evans at the moment ranks thirteenth all-time. Whereas he does path one other energetic participant in Las Vegas’ Davante Adams (95) for twelfth, he’s solely six away from the highest 10.
Six landing receptions in 2024 would carry Evans’ complete to 100, which might tie him with Tim Brown and Steve Largent for ninth-most all-time. A six-touchdown season is actually doable for the Bucs’ all-time touchdowns chief, as he hasn’t completed with fewer than six receiving touchdowns in a season since 2017.
In truth, he’s reached double-digits in three of the final 4 seasons, with a franchise-record 13 in 2020, a brand new franchise-record 14 in 2021 and one other 13 final season. His lowest complete within the final 4 seasons was six, which is what he completed with in 2022. If Evans reaches the tip zone, say, 10 occasions in 2024, he’ll have 104 and sit alone in ninth-place all-time. That might set him as much as probably go Tony Gonzalez (111) for eighth on the all-time leaderboard in 2025. With two double-digit receiving landing seasons within the subsequent two years, he may even go Antonio Gates (116) for seventh.
However earlier than we get too far forward of issues, again to 2024. Getting into the Prime 10 with six receiving touchdowns can be a major milestone each for the milestone itself and contemplating what it will imply. Everybody within the Prime 10 both is within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, or within the circumstances of Gates and Larry Fitzgerald, will ultimately get their place in Canton. Evans would certainly be a part of that group within the not-too-distant future.
Will There Be Any Indicators Of Slowing Down For Mike Evans In 12 months 11?
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Mike Evans has to decelerate in some unspecified time in the future, proper? Doesn’t Father Time meet up with everybody ultimately? That is one other factor that would appear silly to wager on in 2024 as a result of he confirmed zero indicators of a drop-off in his age-30 season. In truth, he put collectively considered one of his higher seasons in his first yr taking part in with Baker Mayfield and each of them re-signed with the Bucs this offseason.
Evans appears effectively geared up to deal with the pains of being a receiver previous the age of 30, as he takes care of his physique very effectively and out of doors of the annual hamstring flare-up in coaching camp, he’s performed an impressive job of staying wholesome through the years.
However with all of that stated, it’s pure to wonder if Evans will quickly be coming into the twilight of his distinctive profession. He turned an exceptional contract yr in 2023 right into a two-year deal to stay a Buc this offseason. That contract covers his age-31 and age-32 seasons, then it’ll be as much as each him and the Bucs so far as what to do from there. The profession Buccaneer has made it clear that he actually does need to be a Buc for all times, so going year-to-year with one-year contracts the best way Lavonte David has often is the means ahead after 2025.
As for 2024, Evans will look to proceed doing what he’s all the time performed for Tampa Bay: racking up 100-yard video games, barreling towards one other 1,000-yard season and discovering the tip zone someplace between eight and 13 occasions. He’s a part of what appears to be like like a robust receiving corps, one he’ll as soon as once more lead with Chris Godwin whereas second-year speedster Trey Palmer and 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan spherical out the highest 4.
And far as Bucs followers don’t need to give it some thought, Evans gained’t be on the sphere ceaselessly. In order a lot because the numbers can proceed to cement his legacy, there’s little question his principal purpose for 12 months 11 shall be making a run at Tremendous Bowl ring No. 2.
